Nanny to Mommy

We all want to take care of our physical health and wellbeing. Without it, we can find ourselves struggling to get on with day to day life and experiencing pain or discomfort. But at the end of the day, it’s going to take an active effort on your part. For now, let’s focus on the health of your gut. Taking care of your digestive system will ensure that you can digest your food well and get the most from it. 

The best foods for your digestive system tend to be fermented foods, so let’s start here. Fermented foods can significantly aid your digestive process. But what actually are fermented foods? Well, put simply, they are foods that have been passed through a fermentation process which is chiefly used to preserve food and drinks. When foods are fermented, a number of different microorganisms (such as bacteria, yeast and fungi) start to convert organic compounds (like sugars and starch) into alcohol or acids. This does more than prevent the food from wasting away though. It can also increase the good bacteria in the food. These are then referred to as probiotics. Many brands like Gutsy Ferments focus on fermenting food for health benefits rather than preservation and maximize the amount of probiotics in each product. Here are a few other fermented foods you might want to take into consideration 

Kefir is one of the best known fermented drinks nowadays. Originating from the North Caucasus, Eastern Europe and Russia, these drinks have gained serious popularity in the Western world. 

Unfortunately, this drink isn’t suitable for vegans, as it is made from dairy. However, others can benefit from up to 61 different strains of bacteria and yeasts in each drink. It has a distinct taste, but many grow to enjoy it, and it tends to be available in a variety of flavors. 

Another increasingly popular fermented drink is Kombucha. This drink originated in China, but like Kefir, has experienced growing favor around the world. This is a fermented drink with a thinner and more liquid consistency, as opposed to a dairy or yoghurt like consistency. It is also suitable for vegans. Kombucha is essentially a fermented tea which traditionally combines yeast, bacteria and sugars. Like kefir, there are a number of different flavors available, so try a few and decide which best suits you and your tastes! 

Now let’s look at fermented foods. Kimchi is a great place to start. This is a Korean fermented vegetable dish that is absolutely packed with probiotics. Traditionally, kimchi is made by fermenting Napa cabbage in lactic acid bacteria. Other ingredients, such as onion, radish or garlic, are also often used. If you like spice, you can also add chilis. Like Kombucha, kimchi is generally suitable for vegans. 

These, of course, are just a few suggestions to get the ball rolling. Each fermented food or drink is highly popular for good reason. Not only do they taste great, but they’re packed with probiotics, which are great for your gut!